Red Cross: Dutch often unprepared for the cold

Dutch people are often unprepared to handle extremely cold weather, according to a study done by the Red Cross. The organization calls on people to be more attentive, because proper preparation can save your life, RTL Nieuws reports.

According to the Red Cross, most Dutch go about their daily activities as usual when it is extremely cold. Some 80 percent of Dutch will take to the road, even with a wind chill temperature of -20 degrees. A massive 80 percent of them do so without taking food with them, and 60 percent without taking anything to drink. Only about half of Dutch have a blanket in the car.

"It can be  very important to take these things with you", Red Cross ambassador Helga van Leur said to RTL. "Suppose you get stuck or are considerably delayed due to the winter weather, then it is good to have food and drink and any medication in the car to tie you over." 

The Red Cross advises motorists to make sure they have enough fuel to make it through long traffic jams. It is also a good idea to let someone know before you take to the road, so that someone will realize if you don't reach your destination. If you get in trouble on the raod, ou can consult the Red Cross app for assistance. 

Over 40 percent of Dutch would risk walking to their destination in the extreme cold. They do this mainly to go to work, drop off or pick up kids and to run errands. But this can be very dangerous, according to the Red Cross. Especially for the elderly, who move less and whose bodies are less able to keep warm.